Recurrent intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery associated with retained lint fiber

A 65-year-old woman had manual small-incision cataract surgery. Postoperatively, she developed 2 episodes of significant postoperative intraocular inflammation involving the anterior chamber and vitreous. The vitreous biopsy was negative for infectious etiology in both episodes. She later was found to have a retained lint fiber in the eye located over the posterior capsule. After removing the fiber, there was no recurrence of the inflammation. This case report suggested that retained lint, most often cotton fiber, which is introduced into the eye during cataract surgery, may be associated with postoperative intraocular inflammation. Therefore, measures should be taken before and during surgery to avoid the fibers entering the eye.